Heli Drop Aborted Rain - Shuttles

We were slated for a monday Heli-Drop to Tenquile lake, but the weather didn't agree. This is the right way to start a week of biking for Crankworkx. Wade and I like to add a little variation to our industry friends, offer something different everytime they come. But the weather had a different idea, so it was that we ended up shuttling some wicked singletrack in Pemberton.

After an early morning coffee at the Pony in Pemberton we conferred with Jonny at the Bike Co and decided to take a few runs and wait for the weather. Once up the top we recieved word that the cloud levels were too low and the Heli-Drop would be a 'no go'. C'est la vie that's what outdoor sports are all about and making alternatives happen are what we are about.

Brent Martin (Ryders Eyewear), Paulo a legendary guide from Costa Rica, Wade, Dre, Mike Jones and Al Saunders decided to make the most of an aborted mission. Pemberton has lots to offer outside of Tenquille and so we found ourselves dropping into Gravi-Trout, Stimulus and a further round trip to Mackenzie Cruz and Indy 500, ohhh yeah, we ended up skirting the rain, but still having a great time.

Pemberton is a must hit on the bucket list and I have just scratched the surface in the last three years. All trips to Pemby must start at the Bike Co and the Pony and likely will finish there as well. Prepare youself for awesome views, steep verts and a plethora of wicked riding. Pemberton received a government grant last year aka Stimulus and we lucky devils enjoyed the benefits of a 'trail minded' community.

Weather is what it is, but how you manage your luck is what you are. See you at the Trailhead.

Dre

I must tip my hat to Pemberton, the community and the great trail work that they have accomplished. Next is deep into the Crankworx experience and more about trails from the Pacific North West.

Ryder Hesjedal

Well it was something to watch our man Ryder do so well. Riding his way into the hearts of Canadians and the greater World of cycling. Watch out next year as Ryder leads the team... that should be interesting.

Here is a little Vignette on this Victoria native and former Mountain Bike Super Star.

http://www.ryderhesjedal.ca/

http://www.ryderhesjedal.ca/video/video/10

You never know where following your passion will get you - I remember Ryder as a young gangly youth, but always seriously 'focused'.

Dre

My Chilcotin Gear

What makes any trip doable is simple;

Location- of course

Some good buddies

a sweet singletrack adventure

a good pack filled with

good stuff and

a helmet to keep you safe and

a solid ride.

This was my first 'Big' adventure on a -Rocky Mountain Altitude 29

I really enjoyed it!

Viola

Dre

Sweet Weapon 100% Shimano Guts

Rocky Flatline

Marzocchi Shox

Shimano Saint

Maxxis Tires

Race Face

Trail Ripin D-Vice

Well after a couple of hours of building- 4, a few days of gathering parts, it all came together, first ride was u- hill all the way home from Marzocchi HQ. If a DH bike feels good going up, how do you think it's gonna feel going down.

Boo Yeah, I am stoked and have been back down to the basement 3 times already to squish and ponder our mutual future - woo hooo biking rules

Cheers

Dre

Getting my new RMB Flatline ready for Crankworkx

So Crankworkx is just around the corner and it's time to hit the Whistler Bike Park. BC Bike Race is over and the diversity of trails is just too great here to not have a big bike.

Yeah ok I like to shuttle now and then, we even have a Heli-Drop planned for Aug 9th and the Super D on Aug 10th, it's a full schedule heading into the rest of summer.

Marzocchi Canada was kind enough (thanks Alex and Naz) to help me build up my new Rocky Mountain Flatline.

Here we are working on my new rig and a short tour of the factory.

Get out and Ride, however you enjoy it
Dre

Lorna Lake Float Plane Drop

Here is the GPS and Profile of one wicked adventure!

Only 63 k and 7.5 hours of singletrack.

Lorna Lake plane drop July 31

Chilcotins

Following an uneventful drive over the Hurley pass we awoke early to a slightly smoky sky. It's always a bit nerve wracking when you set out into the back-country, how many spare parts, how much water and what is the snow level like. We had a great crew morning of; Charles, Steve, Johnny, Paulo and myself all pretty hardened bikers.

The flight to Lorna was uneventful scenic and filled with excited banter. Charles was on his first float plane drop of many to come, I'm sure. All the equipment was unloaded and the adventure began.

First hurdle a small knee high creek, Steve and Paulo took of their shoes and socks, why i don't know as their would be plenty of puddles and crossing throughout the day, just wear you darn 'wool'. Up and over Lorna pass, this is a great warm up for the calves and though we had considered Elbow, the snow looked impassable on the flight in, but Lorna serves up some amazing scenery, a sweet singletrack descent and today a ton of mozzies, yuck.

Needless to say this adventure would be defined by the bugs, not bad up high, but in the boggy valleys, grrr and nobody had any bug juice to speak of. So we dashed up the sub-alpine to clear the tree cover and the swarms of bugs, but that is where all the beauty lies.

Many breaks later, a ton of photo's and we crested Deer pass, snow was not a problem on either of the passes. Cruising down the south side of Deer the trail was dusty and disintegrated to powder in some parts but was as usual a mind blowing experience.

The bugs on the south side weren't nearly as bad, so we enjoyed the meadow, flowers and though smoky the amazing views. No sighting of any wild life, but sometimes that can be a bonus. We took the Lower Spruce meadows exit to Gun Creek and arrived at the truck in 7.5 hours. All in all a pretty smooth operation with nothing but sweet views and awesome singletrack. My Garmin 500 GPS registered about 44 k in total, but with hikes etc, who knows, great ride and a great weekend.

Back in the city now planning Crankworkx and the next big ride.
Dre